Fluid monitoring assembly with sensor functionality

ABSTRACT

A fluid monitoring assembly includes a conduit having a wall defining a lumen for carrying fluid. A sensor mount is integrally formed with the wall of the conduit and extends generally transverse with respect to a longitudinal axis of the conduit, the sensor mount including an aperture defining an inner surface extending to the lumen. The assembly includes a sensor configured to be removably secured within the sensor mount, the sensor having an elongate body terminating at one end thereof in a sensing portion, the elongate body having a male projection on a portion thereof and configured to rest within the inner surface of the sensor mount. The assembly further includes a housing having first and second portions connected to one another, the housing defining an interior portion configured to encapsulate the conduit, at least a portion of the elongate body of the sensor, and the sensor mount.

RELATED APPLICATION

This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/928,905 filed on Jan. 17, 2014, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety. Priority is claimed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention generally relates to fluid monitoring devicesand, in particular segments of conduit or tubing that incorporate sensorfunctionality. More specifically, the invention pertains to connectors,valves, or interfaces used by pharmaceutical and biological applicationsor other hygienic process industries that include sensors therein.

BACKGROUND

Many commercial products are produced using chemical as well asbiological processes. Pharmaceuticals, for example, are produced incommercial quantities using scaled-up reactors and other equipment.So-called biologics are drugs or other compounds that are produced orisolated from living entities such as cells or tissue. Biologics can becomposed of proteins, nucleic acids, or complex combinations of thesesubstances. They may even include living entities such as cells. Inorder to produce biologics on a commercial scale, sophisticated andexpensive equipment is needed. In both pharmaceutical and biologics, forexample, various processes need to occur before the final product isobtained. For example, in the case of biologics, cells may be grown in agrowth chamber or the like and nutrients may need to be carefullymodulated into the growth chamber. Waste products produced by cells mayalso have to be removed on a controlled basis from the fermentationchamber. As another example, biologic products produced by living cellsor other organisms may need to be extracted and concentrated. Thisprocess may involve a variety of filtration and separation techniques.

Because there are a number of individual processes required to beproduce the final product, various reactants, solutions, and washes areoften pumped or otherwise transported to various subsystems usingconduits and associated valves. These systems may be quite cumbersomeand organizationally complex due to the large numbers of conduits,valves, sensors, and the like that may be needed in such systems. Notonly are these systems visually complex (e.g., resembling spaghetti)they also include many components that are required to be sterilizedbetween uses to avoid cross-contamination issues. Indeed, the case ofdrug and biologic preparation, the Federal Food and Drug Administration(FDA) is becoming increasingly strict on cleaning, sterilization orbio-burden reduction procedures that are required for drug andpharmaceutical preparations. This is particularly of a concern becausemany of these products are produced in batches which would requirerepeated cleaning, sterilization or bio-burden reduction activities on avariety of components.

During the manufacturing process of pharmaceuticals and biologics thereoften is a need to incorporate sensors into the manufacturing process sothat process variables are monitored. For example, the process variablesthat need to be monitored may include temperature, pressure, pH,conductivity, and the like. In conventional setups, sensors are placeddirectly along one or more points of the production process whereby thesensors themselves are inserted into the production stream where thesensor makes direct contact with the reactant or product stream. Inconventional manufacturing processes, the sensors may need to bechanged, for example, due to a malfunction or because the product beingmanufactured requires a different sensor. In these examples, it can be atime consuming and expensive process to replace these sensors and alsoensuring that reactants or products remain uncontaminated.

SciLog BioProcessing Systems, for example, produces a line of single usedisposable sensors for use with bioprocessing applications. Theseinclude pressure sensors, temperature sensors, and conductivity sensors.In the SciLog sensors, the entire unit is thrown away including thetubing, sensor, and associated housing. U.S. Pat. No. 7,788,047, forexample, discloses a disposable, pre-calibrated, pre-validated sensorfor use in bio-processing applications. A problem with the SciLogsingle-use sensors is that the sensors include an integrated segment ofconduit. This integrated segment of conduit adds unnecessary dead volumewherein product may reside. Moreover, the SciLog single-use sensors areavailable only in a few sizes.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the invention, a fluid monitoringassembly includes a conduit having a wall defining a lumen through whichthe fluid passes and a sensor mount integrally formed with the wall ofthe conduit and extending generally transverse with respect to alongitudinal axis of the conduit, the sensor mount including andaperture that defines an inner surface that extends into the main lumenof the conduit. The inner surface of the surface mount may include acircumscribing inner recess. The assembly includes a sensor configuredto be removably secured within the sensor mount, the sensor having anelongate body terminating at one end thereof in a sensing portion, theelongate body having a male projection on a portion thereof andconfigured to rest within the inner surface of the sensor mount (or insome embodiments, an inner recess formed on the inner surface) whensecured within the sensor mount. The elongate body, in some embodiments,has a flange portion configured to rest within a seat on the sensormount. The fluid monitoring assembly includes a housing or jacket havingfirst and second portions connected to one another at a hinge, thehousing defining an interior portion configured to encapsulate theconduit, at least a portion of the elongate body of the sensor, and thesensor mount. The housing or jacket provides resistance to high fluidpressures contained within the conduit.

In another embodiment of the invention, a fluid monitoring assemblyincludes a conduit comprising a wall defining a lumen through which thefluid passes and a sensor mount integrally formed with the wall of theconduit and extending generally transverse with respect to alongitudinal axis of the conduit, the sensor mount including an apertureformed therein and an inner surface extending from the aperture to themain lumen. The fluid monitoring assembly includes a sensor configuredto be removably secured within the sensor mount, the sensor having anelongate body terminating at one end thereof in a sensing portion, theelongate body having a male projection on a portion thereof andconfigured to rest within the inner recess when secured within thesensor mount. The fluid monitoring assembly includes a housing havingfirst and second portions, wherein an interior portion of the first andsecond portions are configured to encapsulate the conduit, at least aportion of the elongate body of the sensor, and the sensor mount. One ormore pinch valves are disposed on the housing and configured toselectively pinch the conduit to modulate flow therein. When pinched,fluid flow through the pinch point is prevented. When un-pinched, fluidflows through the conduit unimpeded.

In another embodiment, a method of directing flow in a fluid monitoringassembly that includes a conduit comprising a wall defining a lumenthrough which the fluid passes, a sensor mount integrally formed withthe wall of the conduit and extending generally transverse with respectto a longitudinal axis of the conduit, the sensor mount including anaperture defining an inner surface extending through the sensor mount tothe lumen. The sensor is configured to be removably secured within thesensor mount, the sensor having an elongate body terminating at one endthereof in a sensing portion, the elongate body having a male projectionon a portion thereof and configured to rest within the inner recess whensecured within the sensor mount. The fluid monitoring assembly includesa housing configured to encapsulate the conduit, at least a portion ofthe elongate body of the sensor, and the sensor mount. The fluidmonitoring assembly includes one or more pinch valves disposed on thehousing and configured to pinch the conduit. The method includes sensinga parameter with the sensor and detecting when the parameter passes athreshold value, and actuating the one or more pinch valves to adjustflow with the conduit. As one example, the one or more pinch valuesshunts flow to a bypass conduit.

In another embodiment of the invention, a method of changing a fluidmonitoring assembly is disclosed in which the fluid monitoring assemblyincludes a conduit comprising a wall defining a lumen through which thefluid passes, a sensor mount integrally formed with the wall of theconduit and extending generally transverse with respect to alongitudinal axis of the conduit, the sensor mount including an apertureand inner surface extending from the aperture to the main lumen. Theassembly includes a sensor configured to be removably secured within thesensor mount, the sensor having an elongate body terminating at one endthereof in a sensing portion, the elongate body having a male projectionon a portion thereof and configured to rest within inner surface of thesurface mount. The fluid monitoring assembly further including a housingconfigured to encapsulate the conduit, at least a portion of theelongate body of the sensor, and the sensor mount. The method includesopening the housing, removing the at least one of the sensor and theconduit, inserting a replacement for the at least one of the sensor andconduit, and closing the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a fluid monitoringassembly according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a side view of a conductivity sensor and associated conduitaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 2B illustrates an end view of the conductivity sensor and conduitof FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the sensor and conduittaken along the line A-A of FIG. 2B.

FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of a pH sensor and associated conduitaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 3B illustrates an end view of a sensor and conduit of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the sensor and conduittaken along the line A-A of FIG. 3B.

FIG. 3D illustrates a side view of a pH sensor and associated conduitaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 3E illustrates an end view of a sensor and conduit of FIG. 3D.

FIG. 3F illustrates a cross-sectional view of the sensor and conduittaken along the line A-A of FIG. 3E.

FIG. 3G illustrates a side view of a pressure sensor and associatedconduit according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3H illustrates an end view of a sensor and conduit of FIG. 3G.

FIG. 3I illustrates a cross-sectional view of the sensor and conduittaken along the line A-A of FIG. 3H.

FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of the fluid monitoring assemblyfully enclosed in the housing according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4B illustrates a side view of the fluid monitoring assembly of FIG.4A.

FIG. 4C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the fluid monitoringassembly taken along the line A-A of FIG. 4B.

FIG. 4D illustrates a detailed view of detail B of FIG. 4C.

FIG. 5A illustrates a side view of a fluid monitoring assembly accordingto another embodiment.

FIG. 5B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the fluid monitoringassembly taken along the line D-D of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C illustrates end view of the fluid monitoring assembly of FIG.5A.

FIG. 5D illustrates top view of the fluid monitoring assembly of FIG.5A.

FIG. 5E illustrates a cross-sectional view of the fluid monitoringassembly taken along the line A-A of FIG. 5D.

FIG. 5F illustrates a detailed view of detail E of FIG. 5E.

FIG. 6 illustrates a partial perspective view of the fluid monitoringassembly of FIG. 5A with one half of the housing removed to reviewcertain inner components thereof.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of multiple calibration points and a functionor graph for those points as contemplated as one aspect of theinvention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a sensor coupled to a readingdevice/controller according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a fluid monitoring assembly 10according to one embodiment. The fluid monitoring assembly 10 includes asensor 12 that can be removably inserted into a conduit 14. The conduit14 may be designed as a length of unreinforced tubing in which a lumen18 is defined by a wall of the conduit 14. The fluid monitoring assembly10 further includes a two-part housing 16 that is used to encapsulatethe conduit 14 and at least a portion of the sensor 12 when the sensor12 is mounted therein. The two-part housing 16 acts as jacket thatsurrounds the conduit 14 and part of the sensor 12 contained therein.The two-part housing or jacket 16 defines an exoskeleton-type structurethat surrounds the unreinforced polymer conduit 14 and prevents theunreinforced polymer conduit 14 from failing (e.g., bursting or formingan aneurysm type bulge in the conduit) under high fluid pressures. Thefluid monitoring assembly 10 can handle significant fluid pressures byusing the encapsulated construction. For example, the fluid monitoringassembly 10 can withstand pressures exceeding 100 psi in someapplications without damage or failure.

The conduit 14 includes the lumen 18 extending between opposing endsthrough which fluid passes. For example, one end of the conduit 14 maybe an inlet to the fluid monitoring assembly 10 while the opposing endof the conduit 14 may be an outlet to the fluid monitoring assembly 10.The conduit 14 terminates at opposing ends with flanges 20, 22. In somealternative embodiments, the conduit 14 may not terminate in flanges asillustrated. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the housing 16 includesrespective receiving flange portions 24, 26 that are dimensioned toreceive the flanges 20, 22 of the conduit 14 when the housing 16 isclosed about the conduit 14. The conduit 14 may be formed as acylindrical segment of tubing although other geometries arecontemplated. The receiving flanges 24, 26 are designed to mate withcorresponding flanges (not shown) contained in fluid line of amanufacturing process. In this regard, the fluid monitoring assembly 10may be inserted at desired locations so that the sensor 12 may be easilyadded or removed as necessary. Typically, the respective facing surfacesof the flanges 24, 26 (and opposing ends) are held together via a clampor the like such as the clamp or collar 76 that is illustrated, forexample, in FIGS. 5A and 5B. An o-ring or other seal (not shown) may beprovided in a groove contained in the flanges 24, 26 for sealingpurposes.

The conduit 14 may be made from a polymer material. Examples ofmaterials usable for the conduit 14 include, by way of example,thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), thermoplastic rubber (TPR), silicone(thermally or UV-cured), or other polymers. Referring to FIG. 1, theconduit 14 contains a sensor mount 28 integrally formed with the wall ofthe conduit 14 and extending generally transverse with respect to alongitudinal axis of the conduit 14. The sensor mount 28 includes anaperture 30 that defines and opening to an inner surface of the sensormount 28 that receives a portion of the sensor 12 as explained in moredetail herein. The sensor 12 includes elongate body portion 32 thatextends from a base 34. The elongate body portion 32 may be a shank orthe like that extends away from the base 34. The elongate body portion32 terminates at a sensing end 36. The sensing end 36 includes thevarious sensing elements 37 that are used to sense a particularparameter being measured by the sensor 12. An aperture is provided inthe wall of the conduit 14 such that that the sensing element(s) 37 hasdirect access to the fluid passing through the lumen 18 of the conduit14. In other embodiments (e.g., pressure sensor 12), the sensingelement(s) 37 may not need direct contact with fluid passing through thelumen 18 of the conduit 14. The particular make-up of the sensingelement 37 depends on the sensor 12 being used. For example, the sensingelement 37 may include electrodes or pins in the case where the sensor12 is a conductivity sensor. The sensing element 37 may include adiaphragm or strain gauge when the sensor 12 is pressure sensor. Thesensing element 37 may include a thermistor or thermocouple when thesensor 12 is a temperature sensor. The sensing element 37 may include aporous glass membrane or the like when the sensor 12 is a pH sensor. Theelongate body portion 32 includes a male projection or end 38 locatednear the sensing end 36 of the sensor 12. The male projection 38 mayinclude a barbed end as is shown in FIG. 1. Still referring to FIG. 1,the elongate body portion 32 may also include a flange 40 that extendsradially away from the elongate body portion 32. In this particularembodiment, the flange 40 is located on the elongate body portion 32such that when the sensor 12 is inserted into the conduit 14, the flange40 rests atop the upper portion of the mount 28 (e.g., a seat within theupper portion of the sensor mount 28 that is dimensioned to receive theflange 40). As described herein in more detail, the male projection 38on the sensor 12 interfaces with a correspondingly “female” shaped innerrecess 31 that circumscribes an inner surface of the sensor mount 28.The base 34 of the sensor 12 may include a connector 41 that connects tocabling or other wiring (not shown) that transmits data from the sensor12 to a reading device or transmitter (not shown). The connector 41 mayinclude a DIN type pin connector as is shown in FIG. 1 although otherconnector types are contemplated.

The housing 16 includes a reinforced portion 42 that is orientedgenerally perpendicular to the long axis of the orientation of theconduit 14 within the housing 16 and defines a bore 44 when the twohalves of the housing 16 are brought together. The bore 44 isdimensioned and configured to closely encapsulate the mount 28 as wellas a portion of the elongate body portion 32 of the sensor 12. In onepreferred embodiment, the housing 16 is typically made from a polymermaterial such as plastic materials. Materials include standardthermoplastics and polyolefins such as polyethylene (PE) andpolypropylene (PP) or a hard plastic such as polyetherimide (PEI) suchas ULTEM resins. The housing 16 may also be formed from fluoropolymerssuch as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) or perfluoroalkoxy (PFA),polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polycarbonate (which may be morethermally resistant), polysulfone (PSU), and the like. The housing 16may also be made of metals. The two-part housing 16 includes a firsthalf 16 a and a second half 16 b that are connected together via a hinge46. The hinge 46 may be constructed, for example, as a rod, post, or pinthat is contained within an aperture or bore within the housing 16 thatpermits the first half 16 a and second half 16 b to pivot from a closedstate to an open state so that the conduit 14 and the sensor 12 can beeasily removed and replaced. A fastener 48 such as a locking knob 50 andassociated hinged, locking arm 52 can be used to fixedly hold thetwo-part housing 16 in the closed state. The locking arm 52 may bethreaded and the locking knob 50 contains corresponding threads and canbe tightened or loosened by rotation of the knob 50. To close thehousing 16, the locking arm 52 is rotated within a groove contained onthe second half 16 b of the housing 16 and the knob 50 is tightened tosecure the first half 16 a securely to the second half 16 b of thehousing 16. Of course, other types of fasteners 48 can be used in placeof or in conjunction with the locking arm 52 and knob 50. These includescrews, nuts, clamps, bands, ties, and the like.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the sensor 12 may optionally have containedtherein or integrated therein a memory 100. The memory 100 may include avolatile or non-volatile memory. One example of memory 100 that may beused in connection therewith includes EEPROM and flash memory. In oneembodiment, the memory 100 is located on or associated with circuitry102 that resides in the base 34 although the particular physicallocation of the memory 100 may vary. In one preferred aspect, the memory100 stores information related to the individual sensor 12 and, asexplained in more detail below, at least some calibration informationrelating to the sensor 12. The stored information may include a serialnumber for the sensor, a manufacturing date, lot ID, a calibration date,and a plurality of calibration points. The multiple calibration pointsare used to ensure that a particular parameter (e.g., pressure,temperature, pH, conductivity) may be measured by the sensor 12. Thememory 100 and circuitry 102 are optional and are illustrated as beingincorporated into the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C, 3A-3F,4A-4D, and 5A-5F.

FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of a conduit 14 and a sensor 12. Notethat the conduit 14 and the sensor 12 in this embodiment share similarreference numbers as those used in FIG. 1 for common features found inboth embodiments. In this example, the sensor 12 is a conductivitysensor and the sensing elements 37 include a plurality of electrode pinsthat project from the sensing end 36 of the sensor 12. FIG. 2Billustrates an end view of the same segment of conduit 14 and sensor 12.FIG. 2C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the sensor 12 and theconduit 14 taken along the line A-A of FIG. 2B. As best seen in FIG. 2C,the inner surface of the sensor mount 28 includes “female” shaped innerrecess 54 that circumscribes the entire inner surface. The inner recess54 is dimensioned in size and geometry to closely engage with the maleprojection 38 of the sensor 12. That is to say, in one preferredembodiment, the inner recess 54 has a profile that closely matches thatof the male projection or barb 38. The angles or slope of the innerrecess 54 may be the same as the angle or slope of the male projectionor barb 38. In this configuration, when the sensor 12 is inserted intothe conduit 14, the male projection 38 engages with the female innerrecess 54 and the flange 40 rests atop the upper surface of the sensormount 28 or within a recessed seat of the mount as seen in FIG. 3F, forexample. In this embodiment, the sensing elements 37 (e.g., pins) extendinto the lumen 18 of the conduit 14 and are in direct contact with fluidpassing therein. The sensor 12 may be removed from the conduit 14 bypulling the sensor 12 proximally relative to the conduit 14. In thisregard, the sensor 12 may be removably secured to the conduit 14. Forexample, the conduit 14 may be replaced by pulling the sensor 12 out ofthe pre-existing conduit 14 and inserting this same sensor 12 into a newsegment of conduit 14. Alternatively, the sensor 12 may be pulled out ofthe pre-existing conduit 14 and replaced with another sensor 12. Instill another alternative, both the conduit 14 and the sensor 12 may bereplaced. While not specifically illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C, the conduit14 and sensor 12 may include an encapsulating housing 16 similar to thatdescribed in the context of FIG. 1. The encapsulating housing 16 wouldhave first and second halves 16 a, 16 b and be constructed to mate withthe geometrical profile of the conduit 14 and sensor 12.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate an embodiment of a sensor 12 that measures pH.Again, note that the conduit 14 and the sensor 14 in this embodimentshare similar reference numbers as those used in FIG. 1 for commonfeatures found in both embodiments. In this embodiment, the sensingelement 37 may include a glass permeable electrode or similar elementthat is exposed to the lumen 18 of the conduit 14. In this embodiment,the male projection 38 and the flange 40 may be part of an insert 56that is positioned over the shank 58 of a pH sensor 12. Further, theinsert 56 may include a recess for holding a seal 60 that is interposedbetween an inner surface of the insert 56 and an outer surface of theshank 58 to prevent fluid infiltration. As seen in FIG. 3C, the uppersurface of the sensor mount 28 may include a circumferential seat 62that is dimensioned to receive the flange 40 of the sensor 12. As analternative to the seat 62, the flange 40 may just rest atop an uppersurface of the sensor mount 28. In still another alternative, the flange40 may be omitted entirely. FIGS. 3D, 3E, and 3F illustrate yet anotherembodiment of a sensor 12 in the form of a pressure sensor. Again, notethat the conduit 14 and the sensor 14 in this embodiment share similarreference numbers as those used in FIG. 1 for common features found inboth embodiments. This sensor 12 is used to measure pressure. Thesensing element 37 may include a diaphragm or strain gauge or otherpressure sensing element. As seen in FIG. 3F, the sensing element 37projects somewhat into the lumen 18 of the conduit 14. In thisembodiment, the flange 40 of the sensor 12 is illustrated as restingwithin the circumferential seat 62 on the mount 28. FIGS. 3G-3Iillustrate an embodiment wherein the sensor 12 is a UV sensor that isused to detect and/or measure the concentration of various chemicalspecies contained in the fluid. Features of the conduit 14 and sensor 12in this embodiment share similar reference numbers as those used in FIG.1 for common features found in both embodiments. While not specificallyillustrated in FIGS. 3A-3I, the conduit 14 and sensor 12 may include anencapsulating housing 16 similar to that described in the context ofFIG. 1. The encapsulating housing 16 would have first and second halves16 a, 16 b and be constructed to mate with the geometrical profile ofthe conduit 14 and sensor 12.

The UV sensor 12 may be used to detect and/or measure constituentswithin the fluid which may include, by way of example, proteins,enzymes, and the like that have unique UV absorbance characteristics.The UV sensor 12 may also be used to measure the turbidity of a fluidthat runs through the lumen 18 of the conduit 14. In this embodiment,the sensor 12 is broken into an emitter portion 12 a and a receiverportion 12 b. The receiver portion 12 a emits ultraviolet radiation(e.g., light at a wavelength within the UV spectrum such as 280 nm) thatis transmitted transversely through the fluid flowing in the lumen 18.The transmitted light is collected at the receiver portion 12 b. Thedegree of light transmission is used to detect and/or quantify chemicalspecies contained in the fluid within the lumen 18 of the conduit 14.The emitter portion 12 a and the receiver portion 12 b are inserted intothe conduit 14 at opposing locations across a segment of the conduit 14.As seen in FIG. 3I, both the emitter portion 12 a and the receiverportion 12 b include the male ends 38 and flanges 40 that interface withcorresponding seats 62 in the sensor mounts 28. It should be understood,however, that in some alternative embodiments, only one of the emitterportion 12 a or the receiver portion 12 b may have the male end 38 orflange 40.

FIGS. 4A-D illustrates an embodiment of a sensor 12 in the form of aconductivity sensor that is fully enclosed within a housing 16 alongwith the conduit 14. Features of the conduit 14 and sensor 12 in thisembodiment share similar reference numbers as those used in FIG. 1 forcommon features found in both embodiments. FIG. 4A illustrates aperspective view of the fluid monitoring assembly 10 where the two-parthousing 16 a, 16 b is in the closed state. The locking arm 52 is rotatedto slide within a slot 51 formed within the first half 16 a and thesecond half 16 b of the housing 16. The knob 50 is tightened on thelocking arm 52 to pinch and hold the two halves 16 a, 16 b togetheraround the conduit 14 and at least a portion of the sensor 12. The twohalves 16 a, 16 b thus serve to jacket the conduit 14 and enables theconduit 14 to carry very high pressures of fluid without the need forthe conduit 14 to be reinforced (e.g., braided). FIG. 4B illustrates aside view of the fluid monitoring assembly 10. Note that in thisembodiment, the conduit 14 terminates at respective flanges 20, 22 thatare contained within corresponding flanges 24, 26 formed in the housing16. FIG. 4C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the fluid monitoringassembly 10 taken along the line A-A of FIG. 4B. As seen in FIG. 4C, thesensing element 37 projects into the interior of the lumen 18 such thatfluid can contact the sensing element 37. As seen in FIG. 4C, a maleprojection 38 in the shape of a barb engages with the inner recess 54contained in the sensor mount 28. FIG. 4D is a detailed view of detail Bof FIG. 4C. Referring to FIGS. 4C and 4D note how the housing portions16 a, 16 b closely matches the contours of the sensor mount 28 and theelongate body portion 32 of the sensor 12 with parts of the housingportions 16 a, 16 b being configured with recesses or the like toencapsulate and maintain the position of the sensor 12 within theconduit 14. The sensor 12 cannot be pushed or pulled out of the conduit14 as it is being rigidly held in place by the housing 16 jacketing theconduit 14 and a portion of the sensor 12. Both the male end 38 of thesensor 12 and the flange 40 aid in preventing the sensor 12 fromescaping from the conduit 14 from, for example, high pressures. Multipleflanges 40 may be used to add further robustness to the design.

FIGS. 5A-5F and 6 illustrate another embodiment of a fluid monitoringassembly 10. In this embodiment, similar elements to those describedabove are given similar reference numbers for sake of clarity. In thisembodiment, unlike the prior embodiments, one or more valves 70, 72 areprovided as part of the fluid monitoring assembly 10. The one or morevalves 70, 72 are used to selectively close or open portions of theconduit 14. In the embodiment of FIGS. 5A-5F, and as illustrated in FIG.5E, the conduit 14 includes a main conduit line 14 a and a branchconduit line 14 b. The ends of the main conduit line 14 a terminate inflanges 20, 22 as in the prior embodiment although these are notmandatory. The branch conduit line 14 b also terminates in a flange 25which, again, is not mandatory depending on the fluid configuration.Flange 25 of the branch conduit line 14 b is encapsulated (when housing16 is closed via housing flange 27). In this embodiment, one valve 72 ismounted on one housing half 16 a at a location such that actuation ofthe valve 72 moves an actuating element 73 as best seen in FIG. 6 toextend axially relative to the long axis (arrow A) of the valve 72 topinch the underlying main conduit line 14 a (FIG. 6 illustrates theactuating element 73 for valve 70 and the same exists for valve 72). Bypinching the main conduit line 14 a, fluid does not flow past this pinchpoint. Of course, the valve 72 may also be actuated to open fluid flowwithin the main conduit line 14 a in which chase the actuating element73 retracts in the opposite direction. In this regard, flow can beselectively modulated by actuation of the valve 72. The second valve 70(seen in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D and 6) is mounted on the opposing housinghalf 16 b (not illustrated in FIG. 6) at a location such that that itsactuating element 73 extends axially to pinch the underlying branchconduit line 14 b. In this manner, fluid may be selectively diverted,for example, into the main conduit line 14 a. As one example, fluid mayflow only in the main conduit line 14 a. A sensor 12 as illustrated inFIGS. 5A-5E (or of any of the type described herein) may be used tomonitor this fluid. For example, in this example, the sensor 12 is aconductivity sensor and measures the conductivity of the fluid passingtherein. If the fluid conductivity that is measured by the sensor 12 isabnormal or out of the required range, fluid may be prevented fromleaving the main conduit line 14 a and and/or instead diverted to thebranch conduit line 14 b (e.g., a bypass line) by actuation of thevalves 70, 72. In one example, valve 70 (for branch conduit 14 b) may beclosed while valve 72 (for main line conduit 14 a) is open to preventflow into the branch conduit line 14 b. Upon detection of an abnormalconductivity, for example, when a measured parameter crosses a thresholdvalue (e.g., goes above or below a threshold value), valve 70 may thenopen and valve 72 may close. This would then shunt fluid to the branchconduit 14 b. Conversely, fluid may be diverted to the branch conduit 14b until the conductivity has reached an acceptable level whereby flow tothe branch conduit 14 b is stopped and fluid then passes through themain conduit line 14 a. It should be understood that a wide variety offlow patterns and configurations may be made depending configuration ofthe conduit 14 and the number of valves 70, 72 which may vary.

The valves 70, 72 may be any number of types of valves commonly known tothose skilled in the art. For example, the valves 70, 72 may be manualvalves whereby a bonnet or the like is rotated manually toadvance/retract the actuator 44. Alternatively, the valves 70, 72 may beautomatically actuated valves such as pneumatically-actuated valvesusing air ports 75, 77 such as those illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5D, 6.These valves 70, 72 are actuated with the aid of gas lines connectedthereto (not shown) that computer-controlled using an electro-pneumaticsystem incorporated into the valve design. The valves 70, 72 may alsoinclude an optional position feedback indicator 79 as illustrated inFIG. 6 that indicates the position or state of the valve 70, 72 (e.g.,open or closed). The valves 70, 72 may also be electrically-actuatedpinch valves. Such valves may be toggled between on/off states or inother instances may be partially opened or closed for fine modulatingcontrol. Other types of valves 70, 72 that may be used in connectionwith the fluid monitoring assembly 10 include diaphragm, solenoid, plug,globe, butterfly, gate valves and the like.

FIG. 5A illustrates a side view of fluid monitoring assembly 10 with thehousing halves 16 a, 16 b in a closed state about the conduit 14 and thesensor. A pair of fasteners 48 a, 48 b with respective locking knobs 50a, 50 b and associated hinged, locking arms 52 a, 52 b as explainedherein can be used to fixedly hold the two-part housing 16 in the closedstate. As seen in FIG. 5B, the housing halves 16 a, 16 b are connectedvia hinge 46. The respective valves 70, 72 may be mounted to the housinghalves 16 a, 16 b using a clamp or collar 76. The clamp or collar 76 maysurround matting flanges from adjacent components. Still referring toFIG. 5A, a sensor 12 in the form of a conductivity sensor (in thisparticular embodiment) extends through the housing halves 16 a, 16 balong a parting line and secured to a sensor mount 28 as describedpreviously herein. FIGS. 5E and 5F illustrate the electrode pins of thesensing element 37 projecting into the lumen 18 of the main line conduit14 a.

FIG. 6 illustrates a partial perspective view of the fluid monitoringassembly of FIG. 5A with one half of the housing removed to reviewcertain inner components thereof. Actuation of the valve 70 in thisembodiment moves the actuating element 73 downward (in the direction ofarrow A) to pinch and close off fluid flow within the branch lineconduit 14 b. In this embodiment, computer controlled pneumatic linesthat interface with air ports 75, 77 are used to trigger movement ofactuating element 73 in the downward or upward directions.

FIG. 7 illustrates one example of exemplary calibration data that isstored in the memory 100 of the sensor 12. The calibration data mayinclude, for example, a plurality (two or more) of calibration points.For example, different calibration points may be needed to measure theresponse of the sensor 12 over a variety of parameter conditions.Consider, for example, a conductivity sensor 12. Multiple calibrationpoints may be provided spanning a range of conductivity values. Forexample, calibration points may be provided for a low conductivityvalue, a medium conductivity value, and a high conductivity value. Suchas scheme is illustrated in FIG. 7. By storing multiple calibrationpoints in the memory 100 more accurate sensor readings may be obtainedover a larger measured parameter range. In addition, the memory 100 mayalso store a function or curve that fits the multiple calibrationpoints. In this regard, a single function may be obtained from thememory 100 which can readily be used to translate measured readings froma sensor 12 to accurate results without the need to interpolate. Thefunction or curve may be stored separately or in addition to theplurality of calibration points. The sensor 12 may be calibrated byexposing the sensor 12 to a fluid having a known parameter (e.g.,temperature, pressure, pH, conductivity, concentration) and measuringthe response of the sensor (e.g., voltage output). The response of thesensor 12 from the true or ideal response may be represented by anoffset in the sensor output. As explained herein, multiple calibrationpoints may be used for the sensor 12 at different parameter values(e.g., low, medium, high). Likewise, rather than a particular offset forone of these ranges, a function or curve may be generated that can beused to generate the output at any reading with the function or curvegenerated by curve fitting techniques or the like.

FIG. 8 illustrates a single sensor 12 located in a conduit 14 andhousing or jacket 16 that is connected via a cable 64 secured toconnector 41 to a sensor reader device 66. The connector 41 mayinterface with sensor circuitry 102 that also is associated with orotherwise contains a memory 100. This could also be performed wirelesslyinstead of requiring a direct connection. The sensor reader device 66may include circuitry therein that is operatively coupled to the sensingelement 37 of the sensor 12 and receives data generated by the sensor 12when fluid is in the presence of the sensing element 37. The sensorreader device 66 is also able to read the data stored in the memory 100if such a memory is used in connection with the sensor 12. The sensorreader device 66 may include an optional display 68 or the like todisplay readings from the sensor 12. The sensor reader device 66 mayalso be incorporated into functionality of a controller device that canbe used to control, for example, valves 70, 72. For instance, thecontroller device may be able to selectively turn on/off valves 70, 72in response to measured readings at the sensor 12. Note that thesevalves 70, 72 may be located in the same unit housing the sensor 12, forexample, as described in the context of the embodiment of FIGS. 5A-5Eand 6. The sensor reader device 66 is able to compensate raw readingsfrom the sensor 12 using calibration data stored in the optional memory100. While FIG. 8 illustrates a sensor reader device 66 connected via acable 64 sensor data may also be transferred wirelessly through atransmitter/receiver combination (not shown). In addition, the sensorreader device 66 may be able to receive data from multiple sensors 12.

While the male projection or barb 38 is illustrated in the drawings ashaving a triangular cross-section it should be understood that the maleprojection or barb 38 may take on any number of shapes or profiles whichmay include polygonal or curved aspects. In addition, in somealternative embodiments, the inner recess 54 of the mount 28 may beomitted entirely in which case the male projection or barb 38 mayinterface with a smooth walled inner surface of the mount 28. Further,as another alternative configuration, the male projection or barb 38 maybe located on the inner surface of the mount 28 and the recess (akin toinner recess 54) may be positioned about the exterior of the elongatebody portion 32. In this alternative configuration, the “female” recessis located on the sensor 12 while the male projection or barb 38 islocated on the mount 28.

While the illustrated embodiments illustrate a single sensor 12 beinglocated within a conduit 14 and housing 16 it should be understood thatmultiple sensors 12 may be located within a fluid monitoring assembly10. For example, a UV sensor 12 may be combined with a conductivitysensor 12 as one example. Another example would include a temperaturesensor 12 and a conductivity sensor 12. Further, multiple sensors 12 maybe located within a housing 16 with or without valves 70, 72.

It should be understood that while many different embodiments arediscussed herein, different embodiments may incorporate features orelements of other embodiments even though there are not specificallymentioned herein. For example, the feature and constructions of thesensor 12, conduit 14, and housing 16 may have features that areinterchangeable and usable with other embodiments. While embodiments ofthe present invention have been shown and described, variousmodifications may be made without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. The invention, therefore, should not be limited,except to the following claims, and their equivalents.

1-31. (canceled)
 32. A fluid monitoring assembly comprising: a segmentof replaceable, flexible conduit comprising a wall defining a lumenthrough which the fluid passes; a first sensor mount integrally formedwith the wall of the segment of replaceable, flexible conduit andextending generally transverse with respect to a longitudinal axis ofthe segment of replaceable, flexible conduit, the first sensor mountincluding an aperture having a seat formed therein and defining a femaleshaped inner recess; a first UV sensor portion configured to beremovably secured within the first sensor mount, the first UV sensorportion having an elongate body terminating in a male projection on aportion thereof and configured to rest within the female shaped innerrecess when secured within the first sensor mount, the elongate bodyfurther comprising a flange that rests on the seat; a second sensormount integrally formed with the wall of the segment of replaceable,flexible conduit and extending generally transverse with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the segment of replaceable, flexible conduit andlocated on an opposing side of the segment of replaceable, flexibleconduit as the first sensor mount, the second sensor mount including anaperture having a seat formed therein and defining a female shaped innerrecess; a second UV sensor portion configured to be removably securedwithin the second sensor mount, the second UV sensor portion having anelongate body terminating in a male projection on a portion thereof andconfigured to rest within the female shaped inner recess when securedwithin the second sensor mount, the elongate body further comprising aflange that rests on the seat; and a housing having first and secondportions connected to one another at a hinge, the housing defining aninterior portion configured to encapsulate the segment of replaceable,flexible conduit, the elongate body of the first UV sensor portion, thefirst sensor mount, the elongate body of the second UV sensor potion,and the second sensor mount.
 33. The fluid monitoring assembly of claim32, the housing further comprising at least one fastener configured tosecure the first and second portions of the housing in a closed state.34. The fluid monitoring assembly of claim 32, wherein the housingcomprises metal or polymer.
 35. The fluid monitoring assembly of claim32, wherein the male projection of the first and second UV sensorportions comprises a barbed end.
 36. The fluid monitoring assembly ofclaim 32, wherein the first UV sensor portion comprises an emitter andthe second UV sensor portion comprises a receiver.
 37. The fluidmonitoring assembly of claim 32, wherein the segment of replaceable,flexible conduit comprises at least one of silicone, thermoplasticelastomer, or thermoplastic rubber.
 38. The fluid monitoring assembly ofclaim 32, wherein at least one of the first UV sensor portion and thesecond UV sensor portion comprises a memory configured to storecalibration data therein.
 39. The fluid monitoring assembly of claim 32,further comprising one or more valves disposed in the housing.